Honor. Remember. Give Back.
Each Memorial Day, Riverbend Christian Leadership Academy participates in the Alton Memorial Day Parade with a float designed to honor the sacrifices of those who served our nation.
For many years, this tradition has allowed students and our community to pause and reflect on the courage, service, and sacrifice of American veterans.
In recent years, the floats created by our team have been featured on front page of the Alton Telegraph, helping bring attention to the stories of those who served and those who gave their lives for our freedom.
2026 Tribute: Honoring Vietnam Veterans
This year’s float will be a powerful tribute to Vietnam Veterans and the fallen from Madison County.
The float will feature a two-sided immersive memorial designed to tell the story of sacrifice and service.
One side will depict the Vietnam jungle environment, representing the difficult conditions endured by those who served.
The other side will feature a reflective Vietnam Memorial Wall, honoring the 114 soldiers from Madison County who gave their lives in service to our country.
By displaying their names, we hope to ensure their sacrifice is remembered and recognized by our local community.
This tribute is designed to invite reflection, gratitude, and remembrance throughout the parade.
A Tradition of Remembrance
Honoring veterans through our Memorial Day parade float has become a meaningful tradition for our school and community.
Each year, the float is designed to tell a story of service, sacrifice, and remembrance.
Past tributes have included:
2024 – Iwo Jima
A tribute to unity, courage, and the cost of victory.
2025 – Carrying the Fallen
Depicting a fallen soldier carried beneath a flag-draped casket, honoring those who gave their lives in service.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Creating this type of immersive tribute requires materials, construction, and staging support.
Our goal is to raise $3,000 to fully fund this Memorial Day tribute.
